Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.” Following this insight from the late entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jim Rohn, the American Farrier’s Association (AFA) Board of Directors has taken measures toward making sure the word “consistent” will be often associated with AFA certification.

When a well-clipped shoe is applied correctly, it sure looks sharp on a horse’s hoof. Some farriers will even go so far as to call them sexy. Proclivities aside, they serve an important function. “Clips are mainly used to improve the security of the shoe on the foot and relieve stress on the nails,” says Tucumcari, N.M., farrier Jim Keith. “They can be applied anywhere around the wall perimeter, but usually only in the anterior half due to their ability to constrict wall movement. They may be used to contain wall flares.”